Texas Workforce Commission Award Supports SHSU Online’s Statewide Distance Education Initiative

Texas Workforce Commission Award Supports SHSU Online’s Statewide Distance Education Initiative

Sam Houston State University has received a $1,000,000 award from the Texas Workforce Commission to support the development of the Distance Education Professional Development Center (DEPDC), a statewide initiative designed to strengthen digital literacy, instructional capacity and access across Texas’ Adult Education and Literacy (AEL)system. Led through SHSU Online, the project will serve as a hub for professional development and technical assistance in remote and distance learning, helping educators expand opportunities for adult learners throughout the state.

The new center will build on SHSU Online’s extensive experience in digital education, workforce training and large-scale instructional support. The initiative will operate through a hybrid model that combines staff based in Huntsville with remote team members positioned across Texas, allowing the university to deliver training, support and resources with both statewide reach and local accessibility.

Ruth Chisum, assistant vice president of SHSU Online Operations, emphasized the intentional design behind the model.  

“This work reflects a model we’ve been building at SHSU Online for years— one that integrates training, technology and support services into a cohesive system,” she said. “We’ve refined this approach across a range of institutional and workforce contexts, and the DEPDC allows us to extend that model across the state in a way that is both scalable and responsive to local needs.”

In addition to training and technical support, the center will offer research-based professional development for AEL educators, bilingual technical assistance through a 24/7 support model, accessibility-centered services and ongoing data and quality assurance efforts. The DEPDC is designed not only to help instructors strengthen remote teaching practices, but also to improve the learning experience for adult students by making digital education more responsive, accessible and effective.

“At the end of the day, this work is about improving outcomes for adult learners,”  Chisum said, highlighting the broader impact of the initiative. “When we equip educators with the right tools and support, we create more meaningful, accessible learning experiences that can directly impact someone’s ability to enter the workforce, advance their career or continue their education.”

SHSU Online’s existing infrastructure positions the university well for this effort. The document highlights its training facilities in Huntsville, extensive technology ecosystem, accessibility tools and years of experience supporting online learners and workforce initiatives across Texas. By partnering with the Texas Workforce Commission on this initiative, SHSU is further expanding its role in advancing educational innovation and workforce readiness across the state.

At its core, the project reflects a broader commitment to meeting learners and educators where they are, and building a stronger, more connected future for adult education in Texas.